file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr94-052.txt
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For Immediate Release
October 5, 1994
Release #1994-52
For Further Information Contact:
Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer
Reformed Believers Press Service
Voice: (616) 674-8446
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PO Box 691, Lawrence, MI 49064-0691
John Van Dyk, Managing Editor
Christian Renewal
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Overseer of "Urban Nations" Ministry in New York Resigns
by John Van Dyk
c 1994 Christian Renewal
Distributed by Reformed Believers Press Service
Editor's Note: The text following is copyrighted by Christian Renewal but
available for reprint in whole or in part provided that proper
acknowledgement is given.
(October 5, 1994) RBPS - A ministry to immigrants in New York City
established a year ago will continue on for the time being without the
services of its overseer. Rev. Wayne Leigh has resigned from the position
with Urban Nations. In a special meeting called on September 10 to deal with
the surprise decision, the board accepted his resignation.
Leigh was called to the position of overseer, or supervisor, of this fledgling
missions outreach project by the council of Messiah's Congregation in
Brooklyn, New York. The purpose of the mission is to reach out with the
gospel of Jesus Christ to some of the thousands of immigrants who have made
New York City their home.
Previously a missionary in Japan under the supervision of Christian Reformed
World Missions, Leigh returned to British Columbia in 1990 to become the
pastor of Telkwa CRC. The Telkwa congregation later divided and Leigh became
the pastor of the Reformed Church of Telkwa, an independent congregation
affiliated with the Alliance of Reformed Churches. Leigh accepted the call to
serve with Urban Nations because he said that his first love was missions
work in an urban environment.
At the time, the move to Urban Nations, a new project under the supervision
of the Messiah's Congregation council and an independent board of directors,
was seen to be a perfect fit for Leigh in the opinion of the board and the
church's pastor, Rev. Steve Schlissel. The idea for the missions project in
New York City was developed by Schlissel, who saw the potential for missions
outreach and evangelism to the over 400 language groups and literally
thousands of immigrants who come to America through the gateway of New York
City to begin a new life.
Leigh's mandate was to oversee the work of the mission through
administration, preaching, fundraising, and supervision of the other
missionaries, now three in total, under the employment of Urban Nations.
Because of his previous missions work in Japan, Leigh's particular missions
focus was to work within the Japanese community in New York with the hope of
establishing a Japanese church. Also joining Urban Nations were Rev. Tony
Zekveld as an "ambassador" to the Russians, Mr. Patrick Edouard as an
"ambassador" to the Haitians, and Mr. Gerald Wisz as an "ambassador" to the
immigrants from Poland.
The mission is supported through the giving of independent Reformed churches
and individuals as well as some Presbyterian churches, and the funds are
administered by the council of Messiah's Congregation.
Although reports of the missions efforts have indicated a smooth and forward
moving progress for the most part, Leigh's resignation letter to the board
expressed concerns that there were some problems with aspects of the
organization that needed "serious attention."
Asked about his plans for the future, Leigh said he is open to a "stated
supply situation if one should come up," for the time being at least. The
family will be moving out of their New York apartment by the end of November.
As for Urban Nations, the board has yet to decide on whether to look for
another overseer, according to board member Dr. Nelson Kloosterman. Those
decisions have yet to be made. But Urban Nations will continue with the
present staff of ambassadors, said Schlissel, and the work of administration
will be taken over by Grace Huisman, who is immigrating from the Netherlands,
and, according to Schlissel, should be arriving in New York sometime this
fall.
Contact List:
Dr. Nelson Kloosterman, Professor, Mid-America Reformed Seminary
Rt. 2, Box 163, Orange City, IA 51041 - O: (712) 737-3446 - H: (712)
737-4838 - FAX: (712) 737-3318
Rev. Wayne Leigh, Former Overseer, Urban Nations
1805 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230 - (718) 692-4260
Rev. Steve Schlissel, Pastor, Messiah's Congregation
2662 E. 24th St., Brooklyn, NY 11235 - (718) 332-4444